DOCTRINE OF HEAVEN AND HELL

TRBC Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that at the end of this age the unsaved will be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell. The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God. 

Jesus spent a lot of time talking about Heaven and Hell. While many people have no problem accepting the existence of Heaven, they are quick to dismiss the idea of Hell. Jesus had to talk about Hell because it is the guaranteed destination for everyone who is ever born because of sin. The purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to provide the alternative to Hell. 

Three keys to remember about the Doctrine of Heaven and Hell 

1. The Coming Wrath 

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that at the end of this age the unsaved will be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell. 

Doctrine of Sin…they are therefore subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God. 

Truths about Hell 

• Eternal darkness 

Matthew 22:12-13 (NKJV) Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

• Eternal suffering 

Matthew 22:13b …there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

• Eternal pain 

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ 

• Eternal separation  

Rev 20:14-15 (NKJV) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. 

• Eternal punishment 

Matthew 25:46 (NKJV) And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ 

2. The Promised Path 

Doctrinal Statement: The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God. 

Doctrine of Salvation: …The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.  

Truths about Heaven 

• Jesus Himself has prepared it 

John 14:1-3 (NKJV) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 

• Only Jesus can give it 

John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

• Eternal light 

Rev. 21:23 (NKJV) The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 

• Eternal fellowship with God  

Rev. 21:3 (NKJV) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God iswith men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 

• Eternal joy 

Rev. 21:4a (NKJV) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes… 

• Eternal deliverance 

Rev. 21:4b (NKJV) …there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away 

• Eternal celebration 

Rev. 7:9-12 (NKJV) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen. 

3. So, Let’s Do the Math 

Doctrine of Salvation: … assured of heaven 

Col 3:1-4 (NKJV) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 

“The testimony of Scripture is that our loving God does everything in His power apart from violating a person’s will to encourage him or her not to go to Hell”[1] – Elmer Towns 

[1] Foundational Doctrines of the Faith, Elmer Towns, Church Growth Institute, 1992, page 104.